Hawksbury lagoon and beach walk
Alerts
Check the DOC website for current alerts and conditions before you go. This site gets current alert info from DOC, but is not an official source of information.
Walk around Hawksbury lagoon in Waikouaiti and enjoy this wildlife refuge providing habitat for ducks and native birds which can be seen from the causeways that cross the pools.
Elevation
Cover mapped summer 2023/24.
Description
From the beach end of Beach St, head left along the beach, then up river to the lagoon. Follow the causeway around the lagoon and then across it, back onto Beach St.
At different times of the year, large numbers of birds use the lagoon as a stop off place in their migration or for nesting. Birds include: royal spoonbill/kōtuku ngutupapa, white-faced heron/matuku moana, little shag/kawau paka, pied stilt/poaka and many more.
The lagoons are very shallow, less than half a metre deep and parts often dry out over summer.
Hawksbury Lagoon Inc help protect the lagoon.
Getting there
About 40 km north of Dunedin, turn onto Beach St off SH1 at Waikouaiti.
Know before you go
- Dogs are allowed on a lead on the beach, but aren't allowed around the lagoon.
- Any form of water transport is not permitted on lagoon.
Tsunami risk
This track is susceptible to tsunami. If a siren sounds or a tsunami alert is received move to higher ground and stay away from the coast until the risk or alert period is over.
Weather
Forecast at the start of the track